No. 25 Memphis Beats Rice 38-14 in AAC Opener

**Memphis Dominates Rice 38-14 in AAC Opener, Frank Peasant Explodes for Three Scores**

**HOUSTON, Texas – September 23, 2023** – The No. 25 Memphis Tigers made a powerful statement in their American Athletic Conference opener on Saturday, dismantling the Rice Owls 38-14 at Rice Stadium. A dominant rushing attack led by Frank Peasant and an efficient passing game propelled Memphis to an impressive 3-0 overall record and a crucial 1-0 start in league play.

Peasant was the undisputed star of the night, slicing through the Rice defense for three rushing touchdowns and accumulating 114 yards on 16 carries. His performance set the tone for a Memphis offense that controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the game.

“Frank ran with tremendous vision and power tonight,” said Memphis Head Coach Ryan Silverfield in a post-game press conference. “Our offensive line did a fantastic job opening holes, and he capitalized on every opportunity. It’s exactly the kind of strong start we wanted in conference play, especially on the road.”

Quarterback Seth Henigan managed the game with poise, completing 19 of 30 passes for 225 yards. He connected with wide receiver Roc Taylor for a touchdown pass, with Taylor leading all receivers with six catches for 97 yards. Running back Blake Watson also contributed significantly to the ground game, adding 63 yards on 10 carries, while Brendon Lewis punched in a rushing touchdown to further extend Memphis’s lead.

The Tigers’ defense was equally formidable, effectively stifling Rice’s offensive efforts for most of the contest. While Rice quarterback JT Daniels completed 17 of 30 passes for 153 yards and threw one touchdown pass to Jack Bradley, he was also intercepted once, turning the ball over at a critical juncture. The Memphis defensive front consistently pressured Daniels, preventing the Owls from establishing a consistent rhythm.

Rice’s scoring came from two key plays: Dean Connors broke free for a 33-yard rushing touchdown, and Bradley’s 14-yard reception in the end zone. Receiver Luke McCaffrey was a bright spot for the Owls, catching six passes for 56 yards. Despite their efforts, the Owls struggled to find sustained drives against the disciplined Memphis defense.

“Memphis is a very good football team, and they played like it tonight,” said Rice Head Coach Mike Bloomgren. “We didn’t execute at the level we needed to, particularly on third downs and in critical situations. We have to learn from this, address our mistakes, and come back stronger next week. This is a tough conference, and every game is a battle.”

The victory solidifies Memphis’s position as a contender in the AAC and underscores their national ranking. With a perfect non-conference slate behind them, the Tigers now turn their focus entirely to their conference schedule.

For Rice, the loss drops them to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the AAC. The Owls will be looking to rebound as they navigate a challenging conference schedule, with their sights set on improving their execution and consistency.

Memphis will return home to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for a highly anticipated matchup against the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, September 30, at 7 p.m. ET. Rice will also be back in action on Saturday, September 30, traveling to East Carolina to face the Pirates in another AAC contest.